The problem with the music

Cinematic_systems writes:

I have just bought 50 cd's from megadeth to Keb Mo to Gergiev SACD and they were all excellent.

Are you referring to the two Gergiev SACDs with the Kirov Orchestra on Philips? Sheherazade and the Shostakovich? The former is pretty dire and the latter substandard. Just trying to get a reference point.

Regards,

Well Slappy,

My advice had nothing to do with being liked, and like I said it was not meant as a cheap shot. If you knew anything about equipment you'd have some insight about what Nrchy systems problem is. Look at the pictures if they are up to date, I'm 99% certain what needs to be done.

BTW I never said his system was crap. but it may be the source of his recent experiences more than any recording he's bought.

I love the way you backed off from the topic..."not all agencies" well duh and what kind of miracle worker can make Ashley Simpson sound good? There was vast generalizations that the recording industry mainly turns out garbage... your assertion infact... Catering to MP3 users.

Typical audiophile response to my assertions, I just said I bought 50 recordings of an incredibly diverse genre's and labels and only one is "bad" the rest are good to outstanding. So my experience is in direct conflict with the rest of the posters in this thread except of course my long lost twin brother Pabelson. Sup bro!

"So you are saying that all the recordings are superb and nobody should doubt thier quality, it is just Nrchy's crappy mismatched system?"

I'm saying if you can't thoroughly enjoy 85%-90% of the recordings you buy then your system may be messed up. People get paid to make recordings and like anyone they like to keep their jobs. They don't keep their jobs by turning out trash and not caring about quality even if there is pressure otherwise.

I will tell you that I have very recent experience with transforming a pair of Kharma midi Exquisites from selective quality playback to one that makes nearly every recording sound good. Recordings that were "bad" suddenly are intriquite and exquisite. Hmmm and to think it had nothing to do with changing power cords!

But what I did was a "know it all thing", you wouldn't understand.

Later.

Metralla,

Picture at an Exhibition and Scheherazade, are the two discs.

Scheherazade isn't great but dire?...that's being overly critical. On the 5 systems I have heard it on this is not the case.

The Moussorgsky is very good. Neither are unlistenable or trash.

I certainly didn't get the feeling that no one cared about the recordings and that they were limited to appeal to low resolution systems. Ones better than the other.

Focusing on Scheherazade;

The Scheherazade is definitely one of those borderline recordings that take very little to make sound "dire" but when systems are operating properly it is satisfactory. I have heard a dramatic difference in the way systems handle this recording and sometimes dire would be a good word.

Systems that make Scheherazade sound "dire" just needed to be fixed. So now you have a better reference where I'm at.

I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of the recording industry's lack of interest in the ultimate quality of the recording, they are simply in it for the money. I submit as evidence the lack of variety in artistic output (this is a VERY diplomatic way of saying that I think most new music SUCKS!.
There will be defenders of the industry as a whole, but all they can really do is mention the exceptions to the rule. Sure there are many engineers, and some company owners who care about the product, but the majors are driven by the mighty dollar, and the vagaries of bottom line minded stockholders.
Thankfully, we have each other. For feedback regarding new music, recordings of merit, and fine performances, I would be lost without the wealth of information I garner from the friends I have made in the field, meaning you all. I take this opportunity to thank you all for your priceless opinions about gear and recordings. It is the only information I rely on for purchasing new music - I read all I can, talk to people, pick their brains, and finally make up my own mind about purchases. My stongest influence is the opinion of people whose taste and integrity I respect. I am certain thal I am not alone in this.
In the final analysis, the best we have is each other.
Thank You,
Ray

An interesting debate(great points by Slappy and Viridian) but I can't totally relate to Nrchy's opening point.

At the end of the day it is an individual perspective on how we view and listen to music-some have freely admitted on here they have enough music to last them the rest of their lives,others fanatically explore and others are more interested in the quality of recording than the actual music.This hobby clearly attracts people to whom the music is secondary to the equipment.
It's hard to fit everyone in one jar.

So why should we expect engineers to exhibit any less variety?-they are bound to be made up out of charlartans,greedy individuals and people with the soundest integrity and skill hellbent on getting to the core of the musical statement.

Audiophiles tend to make the kind of rash generalisations about music (no new good stuff,all badly recorded blah blah)that they wouldn't like pointed back at themselves.

As for the wider question why should the big record labels worry about a very small niche market?

In my book the responsibility of good sound reproduction lies mostly with one person or group of people-the artists themselves.
I say that with the knowledge that smaller artists struggle with this due to budget.